Our Story
Many, many years ago, Jeanfi and I fell head over heels in love with the Verdon Valley. After working for various companies—him as a river guide and me at the reception—we decided to create Buena Vista in 2003. Our goal? To share our passion and show you that the Verdon is not just an adrenaline playground, but above all, a magnificent, wild territory to discover and respect.
Being deeply attached to my native region of Brittany, I chose a triskell as our company logo. As for our slogan, "The Spirit of Sport and Nature in the Verdon Gorges," it perfectly reflects the mindset of Jeanfi—the boss, guide, and driver who will accompany you on your outdoor adventures.
Meet the 2026 Dream Team!
During our very first year, the team consisted of only 4 people. Over time, our family grew, and here is the fantastic 2026 Team:
- Reception & Logistics: That’s me, Sandrine (or Nini)! I manage the office, bookings, and keep everything running smoothly.
- The River Guides:
- JeanFi: The Boss, a true Swiss Army knife who also handles our fleet of electric mountain bikes!
- Kevin (aka "Kéké the American"): Full of energy and expertise.
- Alexis: Our packraft specialist, always bursting with positivity.
- Johan (aka "Jojo"): Hands down the most beautiful smile in the Verdon!
- Hocin: Always up for an adventure.
- Guillaume: The youngest rookie of the dream team, our specialist for the family aqua-trekking route in Tusset.
- The Canyon Guide: Alex, our resident canyoning and trail-running expert.
The Driver & Barman: Lolo! Yes, those two roles go perfectly together. He’s our trusted "extreme driver" and shuttle manager.
This team is truly like a big family. Most of the guides return year after year and live directly on-site at the base. This creates deep bonds and a genuinely friendly, tight-knit atmosphere that our guests feel the moment they arrive. Even those who move on to new horizons always come back to visit us or hang out during the off-season.
In fact, at our base, you will also meet Romain from Roman'eau Rafting, whom we’ve happily made some space for. He’s a long-time friend and a former Buena Vista guide! And last but not least, there is Lila, our daughter, who became a certified river guide too... wonder where she got that from?
A Base That Reflects Who We Are
The Buena Vista Rafting base is just like our team: warm, welcoming, and convivial. In addition to a qualified, motivated, and super friendly guiding crew, you will find plenty of facilities to enjoy your day:
- Clean restrooms & showers
- A shaded picnic area & outdoor lounge
- Collective changing rooms
- A large, secure private parking lot
You are more than welcome to make yourself at home on our base! Whether you want to enjoy a relaxing lunch, take a quick afternoon nap under the trees, or challenge your friends to darts, palet breton (French shuffleboard), or paddle games... it’s all about sharing a good time!
English Spoken here! (Well, we are definitely working on it... JeanFi still tends to speak Spanish to Italian tourists, and I mostly speak Italian using my hands, but we always find a way to understand each other perfectly!)
What Our Adventurers Say About Us
"An absolute top-notch team!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We did aqua-trekking with Walter, Rafting with Lila, and most importantly, we were welcomed by Sandrine—each one friendlier than the last. During the activities, you never feel like you're just an anonymous group led by an instructor; it feels like being out with a group of close friends you get along with perfectly. Safety is absolutely flawless. Highly recommend!" – Emre (Google Review)
"Superb team!" ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The whole Buena Vista Rafting family is professional and deeply caring. We participated in 3 activities, and the guides are truly passionate, handles every situation perfectly (Special shout-out to Sandrine, Walter, Alex, Florian, and the one and only KEVIN!). The transport shuttle was remarkably smooth. This is finally a professional team that cares about people, not just sales. They even returned a pair of shoes we forgot the day before! They will always prioritize your safety over making a quick sale (they rightly advised me against a specific route based on conditions rather than selling at all costs). A huge thank you!" – Hervé (Google Review)